Indigenous Studies

What makes this program valuable?

• Learn about Indigenous identities, histories, cultures, governance and resurgence
• Build intercultural understanding through respectful, community-connected learning
• Explore the relationship of land and water to Indigenous teachings and politics
• Develop skills in research, communication, critical thinking and community engagement
• Prepare for careers in policy, education, advocacy, cultural work, community programs and research

What you’ll study

Your courses will explore Indigenous knowledge, histories, identities, politics and communities in local, national and global contexts. You’ll look at how colonialism, resistance, land, water, culture and governance shape the lives and futures of Indigenous peoples.

Core topics include

• The diversity of Indigenous identities, experiences and resistance movements, locally and globally
• The social, political, cultural and historical contexts that shape the lives of Indigenous peoples
• The relationship of land and water to Indigenous teachings and politics
• Indigenous governance, nationhood and community
• Research, advocacy and respectful collaboration
• Intercultural understanding and responsibility

Hands-on learning

Indigenous Studies in the Field course

Learn about traditional Indigenous teachings and practices through community and land-based lessons.

Indigenous Studies Field School

See how your studies move beyond the classroom as you take a deeper look at the connections between borders, Indigenous nationhood, community and international relations.

Earn while you learn

Co-operative Education (Co-op)

• Through UVic’s Co-op program, you’ll apply what you learn in paid, career-related positions that count toward your degree—and give you a head start after graduation.
• Co-op is available to everyone, including international students with co-op work permits.
• On average, 70 percent of UVic Co-op students graduate with a job offer already in hand.
• Unlike at some universities, at UVic, you don’t have to compete for a spot in Co-op.

Indigenous comedy workshops

Are you someone who likes to make people laugh? Professor Jeff Corntassel hosts workshops for aspiring and established Indigenous comedians, with comedy shows in the First Peoples House at UVic and the Tsartlip Nation school to benefit Indigenous causes.

These workshops show how Indigenous Studies can connect scholarship, creativity, community and joy.

Inspiring courses

• Indigenous Fashion in the Pacific Northwest
• Indigenous Cinema
• Decolonizing the Screen
• Global Indigenous Nationalisms
• Violence to Indigenous Lands and Bodies
• Ethnographic Mapping and Indigenous Cartographies

What can I do with a degree in Indigenous Studies?

• Cultural advisor
• Indigenous issues consultant
• Community-industry liaison
• Cultural resources manager
• Public policy analyst
• Social program manager

Admission

Apply directly to this program as a high school student or a transfer student from another post-secondary institution.

Alternatively, you can apply to another major and then add this program as a minor after one year of full-time study.

Ready to apply?

We'll walk you through all of the steps in the process, from submitting your online application to accepting your offer of admission.